Radial Engineering Head Load Prodigy User's Guide

®

True to the Music

Headload Prodigy

Load Box and Amp DI

™

Radial Engineering Ltd.
1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam
British Columbia, Canada, V3C 5M5

tel: [phone] • fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail]

www.radialeng.com

User Guide

®

True to the Music

www.radialeng.com

! !

The Headload Prodigy is a load box that is designed to safely handle and attenuate up

to 120 watts RMS of power from a guitar or bass amplier. The Headload Prodigy is
intended for 8 Ohm. For best performance and proper power transfer, NEVER EXCEED
THE PRODIGY’S 120 WATT POWER RATING and always match the impedance. Ex­ceeding this power can cause the Headload Prodigy to overheat which could damage
the unit. The Headload Prodigy speaker connections employ switching jacks that reroute
the signal to the amp and/or internal load resisters. DO NOT DISCONNECT CABLE AT
SPEAKER BOX END AND LEAVE IT CONNECTED TO THE HEADLOAD PRODIGY.

CAUTION!

True to the Music

TM

Radial® Headload Prodigy

Load Box and Amp DI

Table of Contents Page

Feature set ..............................................................................................................1-2

Making Connections ................................................................................................... 3

How to Use ..............................................................................................................4-5

JDX Balanced Output ................................................................................................. 6

JDX Unbalanced Output .............................................................................................7

Using the Features .................................................................................................. 8-9

Rack Mounting and Cable Length ............................................................................ 10

Block Diagram .......................................................................................................... 11

Specications ...........................................................................................................12

Warranty .................................................................................................... Back Cover

®

Thank you for purchasing the Headload Prodigy. The Prodigy is a multi-purpose load box
that enables you to reduce the output of your speaker cabinet and to send your guitar
amp and cabinet sound to the PA or recording system using the built-in JDX direct box
output. You can simultaneously set your amp to full output, 50% or 25% volume, or turn it
completely off for quiet on-stage performance or late night recording.

Best of all, the Prodigy has been designed to be straight forward and easy to use. However,
as with all products, making sure you understand the features will not only improve your
musical experience, it will ensure your equipment is safe from damage due to misuse. So
please take a few minutes to read through this manual to familiarize yourself with all of the
built-in features.

If after reading, you nd yourself looking for more answers, please visit the Prodigy FAQ
page on the Radial web site. This is where we post updates and questions from users like
yourself. If you still do not nd what you are looking for, feel free to send us an email at
[e-mail] and we will do our best to reply in short order.

Now get ready to rock out at full, half or no volume at all.

Radial Engineering Ltd.

Headload Prodigy™ Load Box

®

FRONT PANEL FEATURE SET

True to the Music

7

1 2 3 4 5 6

8 9 10

1. HEADPHONE: ¼” TRS mono summed output for headphones, lets you quietly practice

while your amp is being driven hard.

2. PHONES: Variable control used to adjust headphone level to suit.

3. LINE OUT: Variable control to adjust the level going to the unbalanced ¼" JDX outputs.

4. EQ: Lets you ne tune the tone of the JDX output to optimize your wedge monitors or

in-ears.

5. POL 180: Inverts phase by toggling pin-2 and pin-3 at the XLR out to correct acoustic

resonance or to help phase-align the direct out with a microphone.

6. POWER: LED indicator lets you know the Prodigy is activated.

7. HANDLE: Makes it easy to carry your Prodigy around the studio – may be removed for

rack mounting.

8. STEEL CASE: Solid 14-gauge steel outer shell shields the inner electronics from

disruptive magnetic elds generated by the amplier’s power transformer.

9. VENTS: Top access ventilation slots allow excess heat to be dissipated without the

need of a fan.

10. BOOK-END DESIGN: Creates protective zone around the switches and potentiometer

to keep them out of harm’s way.

Radial Engineering Ltd.

1

Headload Prodigy™ Load Box

True to the Music

REAR PANEL FEATURE SET

®

11 12

13

14 15 16 17 18 19

20

11. BALANCED OUT: JDX lo-Z balanced mic level output used to feed the PA system,

monitors or recorder.

12. GND LIFT: Lifts pin-1 on the XLR output to help eliminate hum and buzz caused by

ground loops.

13. POST-EQ: Presents a post JDX and post (wet) EQ output to feed a second direct box for

recording or external effects processor.

14. PRE-EQ: Pre-JDX direct output sends the unaffected (dry) direct signal from your amp to

feed another stage amp or effects.

15. 100% OUTPUT: ¼” output delivers full output of your amp to the speaker cabinet.

16. FROM AMP: ¼” input connects signal from your amp head output to the Prodigy.

17. 25%-50% OUTPUT: ¼” output is used to attenuate the volume for quiet on-stage

performance.

18. OUTPUT SELECT: Choose between 50% and 25% output level to the speaker cabinet.

19. POWER: Connection for the external 15VDC 400mA power supply.

20. CABLE CLAMP: Secures the DC adapter cable to prevent accidental power disconnect.

Radial Engineering Ltd.

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Headload Prodigy™ Load Box